Community For Kids conducted a county-wide survey, also utilizing census data. Based upon that information it was determined that there is a gap of 59 children with all available parents working who do not have access to licensed childcare. We suspect the number of children needing childcare could increase over the years as existing in-home licensed childcare providers retire or change employment over the next 5-10 years. Additionally, as our community grows and new families move here, it’s incredibly important for them to have access to reliable, high-quality childcare.

We partnered with Community for Kids (C4K) in mid-2020, who has proven to be such an important advocate and resource for us. C4K is an initiative that was created in response to community requests for assistance with shortages of high quality early care & education programs. The William and Ruth Scott Foundation has been a large financial donor for us, securing us the funds to purchase the building. We are also utilizing a project manager, the Lund Co. out of Omaha, NE.  Tim Mettenbrink is our contact within the company.  This firm has an incredible reputation and their results speak for themselves.  They are helping us with cost analysis, coordinating with all contractors, and keeping us on track with both timelines and budgets for the project. We are beyond excited to be working with him and his team!  The architect and design firm that we are working with is Wilkins Architecture Design Planning out of Kearney, NE.  Kali Eklund and her team have been a wonderful asset with space planning, architectural plans/renderings and FFE (furniture, fixtures, and equipment).  They have experience working with Early Childhood Development Centers and understand all of the state and federal requirements/regulations.  They are also a huge asset to ACDC and we would be lost without them!

We purchased the old Connection building on Main Street Ainsworth at 237 N Main St, Ainsworth, NE 69210. This adjacent green space will be perfect for children and our center!

1. Help us spread the word of the need for this facility in our community!

2. If you’d like to help bring this to life, please consider donating your time to make it a reality. There are numerous sub-committees that you can make a big impact on! Please reach out to a board member if you’re interested.  Some sub-committees include fundraising events, advertising, volunteering, etc.

3. We are looking for financial support in the way of a capital campaign. Since we won’t be borrowing any money to bring this dream to a reality, we are relying on local and state donations as well as grant funds to cover all construction costs and operating expenses until it is up and running on its own.  This is something that is going to benefit our entire community-from retention/recruitment of employees and bringing new people to our town, to employees/employers struggling to find backup childcare causing staff to miss work and in turn lose productivity/profitability.  It also gives those people a chance to work, that aren’t able too because of the lack of openings available in current childcare facilities.  Ainsworth Child Development Center will fill that void!  But, it will only work if our community is on board.  Please consider donating to help this cause!  There are tax benefits available since we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

As a nonprofit entity, we are self-sustaining, meaning no property tax increases or bonds help with funding. The center will help attract businesses and employees to our area by making it a more desirable place to live and raise a family. Offering a hometown lifestyle to young families strengthens home values and may spur residential construction. Your investment will return by fueling immediate economic growth and community development, and help generations of children in our communities be more successful in school and in life.